Raiders select 2 defensive backs in NFL.com mock draft

Raiders select 2 defensive backs in NFL.com mock draft

If the Super Bowl taught us anything, it’s that no team can have too many quality defensive backs. The Patriots were able to beat the Rams because of their depth across the board in the secondary. There was no single weakness the Rams could exploit. That is the new wave of the NFL as teams design offenses to pick on the weakest player on defense.

Heading into the 2019 season, the Raiders have two quality defensive backs in Gareon Conley and Karl Joseph. The hope is that 2018 fourth-round pick Nick Nelson will be able to handle the slot position next year.

However, that still leaves the Raiders needing at least two more quality defensive backs. But with so many high draft picks, the Raiders should be able to address that need come April. In Chad Reuter’s latest mock draft, the Raiders did just that. Take a look at his three first-round picks for the Raiders, via NFL.com:

No. 4 – DE Rashan Gary, Michigan

No. 24 – CB Deandre Baker, Georgia

No. 27 – FS Nasir Adderley, Delaware

As we’ve noted many times here at the Raiders Wire, Michigan’s defensive end Rashan Gary is becoming a popular pick at No. 4. However, let’s focus our attention on the “other” selections for the Raiders in the first round.

At No. 24, the Raiders selected cornerback Deandre Baker, who was the 2018 Jim Thorpe Award winner. He was also a consensus All-American as he was one of the best defensive backs in the country. While he may lack long speed, his physical style of play is ideally suited to be the Raiders’ No. 2 cornerback in 2019, opposite of Gareon Conley.

With the 27th selection, the Raiders picked a familiar face in Nasir Adderley from Delaware. Adderley was coached by the Raiders’ squad during the Senior Bowl and had an outstanding week in Mobile. Pairing him with Karl Joseph would give the Raiders an exceptional combination of young safeties.

If the Raiders want to address their secondary woes, adding Baker and Adderley would go a long way to correct the problem. Look for the Raiders to be aggressive at the bottom of the first round in regards to their secondary needs.

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